California supervised driving: 50 hours, 10 at night.

Everything a California parent needs in one place — supervised-practice guidance, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps practice organized.

What California actually requires

Requirements summarized from the official California driver handbook.

The California graduated licensing path

  1. Instruction permit — from age 15.5

    Requirements: Complete driver education and pass the written exam. Hold at least 6 months.

    Restrictions: Driving only with a licensed parent, guardian, or driving instructor 25+ seated beside you. No solo driving.

  2. Provisional license — from age 16

    Requirements: Hold the permit 6 months, complete 6 hours of professional training and 50 supervised hours (10 at night), then pass the driving test.

    Restrictions: For the first 12 months: no driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. and no passengers under 20 unless a licensed driver 25+ rides along.

  3. Full license — from age 18

    Requirements: Provisional restrictions lift at age 18.

    Restrictions: None specific to age.

California laws your teen will be tested on

California seat belt rule

In California you and every passenger must wear a seat belt. If a passenger under 16 is unbelted, the driver can be ticketed. Children under 8, or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, need an approved child restraint.

California Basic Speed Law

California's Basic Speed Law means you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions - traffic, road surface, weather and visibility all matter, regardless of the posted limit.

California alcohol and phone laws

California's limit is 0.08 BAC at 21 and over, but only 0.01 for drivers under 21 - essentially zero. Driving while holding a cell phone is illegal, and texting or reading messages behind the wheel is never allowed.

California Move Over & Emergency Scenes

Move over and slow down when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or stopped road work vehicles displaying flashing emergency or amber warning lights. Do not follow within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle when its siren or flashing lights are on.

California Right-of-Way Rules

At intersections, the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way; if you arrive at the same time as another road user, yield to the one on your right. Always yield to pedestrians, and give up your right-of-way when necessary to prevent a collision.

California School Bus & Pedestrian Rules

Within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing, the speed limit is 25 mph, though some school zones may be as low as 15 mph; slow for yellow bus lights and stop from either direction for flashing red lights, except when the bus is opposite you on a divided or multilane highway (two or more lanes in each direction). Yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks, reduce your speed or stop so they can finish crossing, and never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

A real California practice question

Who may accompany a provisional driver so the driver can carry passengers under 20 years old?

A provisional driver may carry passengers under 20 when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or another California-licensed driver who is at least 25.

California driving practice questions, answered

How many supervised driving hours does California require?
California requires 50 supervised driving hours, including 10 at night.
Does California require night driving hours?
Yes — 10 of the supervised hours must be at night. The NextDriver log splits minutes into day and night using 8 p.m.–6 a.m. local time. Check California's own definition of night driving.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in California?
A California learner's permit can be issued starting at age 15.5.
How many questions are on the California written test?
The California knowledge exam has 46 questions; you need 39 correct (83%) to pass.
Does NextDriver Prep have California practice questions?
Yes — 70 practice questions written from the official California driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
How should we track supervised driving?
Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals progress toward California's supervised-practice requirement.
Is the California driving log free?
Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The California licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
What restrictions apply during the Instruction permit stage in California?
Driving only with a licensed parent, guardian, or driving instructor 25+ seated beside you. No solo driving.
What restrictions apply during the Provisional license stage in California?
For the first 12 months: no driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. and no passengers under 20 unless a licensed driver 25+ rides along.
What restrictions apply during the Full license stage in California?
None specific to age.

Start logging California hours today

Create your free account · Compare plans

All state requirements · Arkansas requirements · Colorado requirements · Connecticut requirements